In a controversial interview by US media personality Tucker Carlson, Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected talks that Moscow intends to attack Poland or other NATO countries.
Asked by Carlson whether he could imagine a scenario where Russian troops are sent to Poland, the Russian president said: “Only in one case: if Poland attacks Russia. Why? Because we have no interest in Poland, Latvia or anywhere else. Why would we do that? We simply don't have any interest. It’s just threat-mongering.”
NATO countries, especially in the eastern flank, have been worried about Russia’s expansionist ambitions after it invaded Ukraine. Putin insisted, however, “it is absolutely out of the question. You just don’t have to be any kind of analyst, it goes against common sense to get involved in some kind of global war.”
The two-hour interview, which has been criticised as giving platform to Russia’s propaganda, was recorded on Tuesday in Moscow and was posted on Carlson’s website and X, formerly known as Twitter.
The full transcript of the exchange has been posted on the Russian president’s website.
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